History of Mont-St-Michel

Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "mons tumba". According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. The saint's skull, with hole, can be seen in St Gervais churche in Avranches.

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